Eight bells: Lex Keuning

The ORC community mourns the recent passing of noted marine technologist Lex Keuning at his home in Willemstad, Netherlands. During his extensive scientific research career at Delft University, he made ground-breaking contributions to hydrodynamics and boat and ship design and was a valued member of the ORC’s International Technical Committee (ITC).

Keuning was involved since the beginning of the H. Irving Pratt project at MIT in the 1970’s and ‘80’s as a young assistant of Professor Jelle Gerristma. In 1992 he was appointed as a member of the ITC, and had a fundamental role in developing the regression model for Residuary Resistance. He was also instrumental 20 years later in developing the newer surface model that is still in use today.

His office at the tank testing facility at Delft and in his hometown of Willemstad was the venue for numerous meetings of the ITC.

In 2011, the Royal Institute of Engineers in the Netherlands conferred on him their Medal of Honour award for his “unique combination of scientific research and non-conformist free-thinking.” They cited his pioneering work in hull shapes to improve the behaviour of fast sea-going vessels in swells: the Enlarged Ship Concept and the Axe Bow. Working with with the Damen Shipyard many vessels been built with these principles in bow design, and the royalties collected with this success were used to start another ambitious project named WASP (Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion).

“It is very sad that he will not be able to continue propelling this project, nor attend ITC meetings where his presence and wise comments gave confidence to the group,” said Nicola Sironi, current ITC member and its past Chairman.

“This is very sad news, Lex was a true master of his profession,” said current ITC Chairman Andy Claughton. “More than 70 of his friends and collaborators have written a few words about their time with Lex. I'm proud to have had him as a mentor and a friend.”